Encapsulation of oxidatively unstable compounds

Abstract

An encapsulated material is formed by congealing droplets of a molten blend of oxidatively unstable material and phytosterol in a chilling gas stream to form prilled cores containing oxidatively unstable material and phytosterol, and encapsulating the prilled cores in one or more protective shell layers to form free-flowing microparticles.

1 . A method for protecting an oxidatively unstable material, which method comprises congealing droplets of a molten blend of oxidatively unstable material and phytosterol in a chilling gas stream to form prilled cores comprising oxidatively unstable material and phytosterol, and encapsulating the prilled cores in one or more protective shell layers to form free-flowing microparticles. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the oxidatively unstable material comprises a polyunsaturated fatty acid. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the polyunsaturated fatty acid comprises an omega-3 or omega-6 fatty acid. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the oxidatively unstable material comprises an acidulant, animal product, antioxidant, carotenoid, catalyst, drug, dye, enzyme, flavor, fragrance, lutein, lycopene, metal complex, natural color, nutraceutical, pigment, polyphenolic, processed plant material, metabiotic, probiotic, protein, squalene, tocopherol, tocotrienol, triacylglycerol, vitamin, unsaturated organic compound, or mixture thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the phytosterol comprises a non-esterified phytosterol. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  comprising drying or prilling a protective shell layer. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  comprising forming a protective shell layer from gelatin. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  comprising forming a protective shell layer from triglyceride wax, stearic acid, insoluble fiber, soluble fiber, a water-dispersible oxygen barrier layer, a hydrocolloid layer or a lipophilic layer. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the encapsulated oxidatively unstable material has enhanced protection from oxidation compared to the oxidatively unstable material by itself. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising combining the microparticles with a food to provide a food product. 
     
     
         11 . An encapsulated material comprising free-flowing microparticles containing a prilled core comprising a congealed blend of oxidatively unstable material and phytosterol, covered by at least one protective shell layer. 
     
     
         12 . The encapsulated material of  claim 11  wherein the core comprises a polyunsaturated fatty acid. 
     
     
         13 . The encapsulated material of  claim 12  wherein the polyunsaturated fatty acid comprises an omega-3 or omega-6 fatty acid. 
     
     
         14 . The encapsulated material of  claim 13  wherein the antioxidant comprises ubiquinol, ubiquione or mixture thereof. 
     
     
         15 . The encapsulated material of  claim 11  wherein the core comprises an acidulant, animal product, antioxidant, carotenoid, catalyst, drug, dye, enzyme, flavor, fragrance, lutein, lycopene, metal complex, natural color, nutraceutical, pigment, polyphenolic, processed plant material, metabiotic, probiotic, protein, squalene, tocopherol, tocotrienol, triacylglycerol, vitamin, unsaturated organic compound, or mixture thereof. 
     
     
         16 . The encapsulated material of  claim 11  wherein the phytosterol comprises a non-esterified phytosterol. 
     
     
         17 . The encapsulated material of  claim 11  wherein the core is greater than 30 wt. % of the encapsulated material. 
     
     
         18 . The encapsulated material of  claim 11  wherein the oxidatively unstable material is a solid, gel or liquid at room temperature. 
     
     
         19 . The encapsulated material of  claim 11  wherein a protective shell layer comprises gelatin. 
     
     
         20 . The encapsulated material of  claim 11  wherein a protective shell layer comprises triglyceride wax, stearic acid, insoluble fiber, soluble fiber, a water-dispersible oxygen barrier layer, a hydrocolloid layer or a lipophilic layer. 
     
     
         21 . The encapsulated material of  claim 11  wherein the oxidatively unstable material has enhanced protection from oxidation compared to the oxidatively unstable material by itself. 
     
     
         22 . A food product comprising the encapsulated material of  claim 11 .